Having congestive heart failure, sometimes just called heart failure, means that the heart muscle has become too weak to pump out the amount of blood the body needs to function properly. This condition can occur due to a birth defect or be the result of heart disease or an infection. It can cause swelling in various areas of the body and fluid can back up into the lungs. It is a serious condition that requires ongoing medical attention. However, there are also some home remedies that can be used along side medical care to help manage symptoms.
Stress Management Techniques
Keeping stress levels down is important when living with congestive heart failure. To help keep stress levels in control, the American Heart Association recommends taking 15 to 20 minutes each day to practice a relaxation technique. This can involve deep breathing, guided imagery, mindfulness meditation or one of the many other forms of meditation available. The most important thing is to practice regularly.
The goal of meditation is to develop healthy skills to deal with stress, which can be used during everyday life. Because of this, the goal is to not fall asleep during meditation, but rather to learn how to focus the mind and calm the body down. Falling asleep is not a technique that can be used in stressful situations, but taking deep breaths is.
Since getting adequate rest is also important, find times outside of the relaxation practice to sleep as needed.
Dietary Changes
It is essential to make healthy dietary changes to fully manage congestive heart failure. The Mayo Clinic suggests consuming no more than 2,000 milligrams a day of sodium from both processed foods and salt added to foods, as salt can contribute to fluid retention. In addition, a physician or registered dietitian can recommend a safe limit for fats and cholesterol to cut down on the risk of a heart attack or stroke.
Tai Chi
The symptoms associated with heart failure, such as chest pain and shortness of breath, can interfere with getting a good night's sleep. This can lead to fatigue which may also exacerbate symptoms, creating a downward spiral.
However, according to the Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, practicing tai chi seems to help patients with heart failure sleep better. The benefits were noticed after just 12 weeks of practicing tai chi. While the exact mechanisms are not well understood, it seems that the practice of tai chi may promote deeper and more restful sleep, which in turn can lower blood pressure and reduce symptoms.
Since there are thousands of forms of tai chi that can vary greatly from one another, it is important to try various classes or tapes to find the right fit. Since tai chi is a form of exercise, before starting a program, check with a physician about what level of exercise is safe. Some forms of tai chi can be quite rigorous, while others are very gentle.
Hawthorn
Early research into the use of hawthorn for congestive heart failure has been promising, states the American Academy of Family Physicians. This plant contains chemicals that help the blood vessels to stay open, which reduces stress on the heart muscle.
There are four stages of heart failure with stage four being the most serious. Hawthorn tends to be most effective just up to stage two, which is when mild symptoms first start to appear. Much more research is needed to determine a safe and effective dosage.
A physician should always be consulted first, as hawthorn can have negative interactions with other medications being taken, including heart disease medications.
References
- American Heart Association: Lifestyle Changes for Heart Failure
- Mayo Clinic: Heart Failure Lifestyle and Home Remedies
- Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Tai Chi May Help Heart Failure Patients Sleep Better
- American Academy of Family Physicians: Alternative Therapies: Congestive Heart Failure
